Tea-undecylenates (inci)

"TEA" is the acronym for triethanolamine, a quaternary ammonium compound. Triethanolamine reacts easily with fatty acids to form triethanolamine soaps and is used as a basic component in soaps and other cosmetic products. Undecylenates are salts or esters of undecylenic acid (10-undecylenic acid).

TEA-undecylenate is a substance which is used in cosmetic formulations where it acts as a surfactant (washing-active substance; improves the even distribution of the products during application) and preservative (substance which is used in cosmetic products as a preservative; inhibits the growth of microorganisms). (The general conditions for preservatives which may be used in cosmetic products are defined in the EC Cosmetics Regulation - 1223/2009 - Annex V)

1. The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) Manage risks - protect consumers: https://www.bvl.bund.de/DE/03_Verbraucherprodukte/03_AntragstellerUnternehmen/02_Kosmetik/04_Inhaltsstoffe/bgs_fuerAntragsteller_kosmetik_gesetzlicheRegelung_inhaltsstoffe_node.html